World record holder Usain Bolt withdrew from Jamaica's Olympic trials minutes before the men's 100 metres final on Friday.
His executive manager Nugent Walker confirmed the news, less than 20 minutes before the race.
"He, Bolt, is out of the remainder of the championship on medical exemption," Walker said.
Unlike the United States, where the first three finishers in the trials win Olympic berths, Jamaica's selection policy allows medical exemptions.
Hence, Bolt's withdrawal does not mean he will miss the Olympics, where he is expected to defend his titles in the 100 and 200.
Bolt had clocked 10.04 seconds to win the first semi-final after a poor start and was due to square off in the final against Yohan Blake, who clocked 9.95 to win the other semi.
Bolt later gave his fans an update on his status tweeting pictures of him receiving medical attention and stating: “Starting the recovery process right away. I hope to show fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio."
Bolt was earlier laid low by a hamstring injury in May, following his 100 metres victory at the Cayman Invitational event.
His coach Glen Mills told Reuters that efforts were made since Thursday night to get Bolt ready for Friday's semi-final and final.
"The therapist did a good job working on him but in a couple of hours to come and run, he felt it again," Mills said.
"Hamstring injuries are always serious. The fact that he couldn't run, showed it is serious, but we'll see what happens between now and (the Olympics)," Mills said at trackside after another of his charge, Blake, won the trial.
Following Bolt’s withdrawal, Yohan Blake won the men’s 100 metres Olympic trials in 9.95 seconds.
Blake had to stave off a false start, which was wrongfully charged to him by the team of starters, who took back the red card in favour of a yellow card that was charged to the field.
Running in lane four, Blake held his nerve on the second time of asking, beating Nickel Ashmeade (9.96s) to the line by one hundreds of a second.
Newcomer Jevaughn Minzie, training partner of Bolt and Blake, ended third in a personal best 10.02secs, while former world record holder Asafa Powell was fourth in 10.03 seconds.
"God is alive. A lot of people didn't think I'd be back but watch here, I am." an elated Blake said.
"It has been a struggle (batting back from hamstring injuries)...I wanted to go faster but because of the tragedy that was going on at the start I couldn't because I had to conserve and be cautious," the 2011 world champion told Reuters.
Bolt had clocked 10.04 seconds to win the first semi-final after a poor start and was due to square off in the final against Blake.
Elaine Thompson stormed to women's 100 metre final win, clocking 10.70secs to equal two-time defending Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's national record while punching her ticket to Rio.
Thompson was in destructive form after taking control of the final after 30 meters to win ahead of Fraser-Pryce who clocked 10.93 seconds.
Their training partner Christania Williams, 21, came third with a career best 10.97 seconds.
"It's been a wonderful season from the start and coming to this trials to make my first Olympic team with a personal best I can't complain as you see I'm actually crying right now, " Thompson told Reuters.
She also had words of encouragement for Fraser-Pryce, who has struggled with a toe injury all year.
"I know Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce wasn't healthy and coming out year you have to be tough and she was determined and came out and book her spot to the Olympics," the world 200m silver medallist said.
